CN1206861C - An adaptive video image information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

Video image information is received in a signal including conditional access information. The conditional access information is associated with one of a plurality of picture resolution formats for recording, reproducing and displaying the video image information. The conditional access information in the received signal is decoded. A format for at least one of recording, reproducing and displaying the video image information is adaptively selected in response to the decoded conditional access information. The video image information is then processed using the selected format. The conditional access information may further include information indicating a predetermined time period during which reproduction of recorded video image information is permitted.

Description

Adaptive Video Image Information Processing System

Technical field

The invention relates to selection of the format for recording, reproduction and display of video image information received with a signal including conditional access information which determines the format for recording, reproduction and display of video image information.

Background technique

Conditional access systems for subscriber units such as cable subscriber set top box decoders are known in the art. Conditional access is conventionally obtained by downloading one or more authorization levels stored in the decoder. Stored authorization levels may be represented by a bitmap or a column of dedicated multi-bit codes, or a combination of both. Each received scheduled program normally scrambled to prevent access thereto by unauthorized users includes conditional access information or an authorization code identifying the associated program. If the conditional access information corresponds to the authorization level stored in the bitmap or the user authorization level stored in the list, the descrambling circuitry inside the user's decoder will be able to descramble the signal for viewing by the user. If the received conditional access information does not match any of the stored authorization levels, descrambling of the accompanying program will be disabled or prevented.

Such conditional access systems lack the operational flexibility that is available with the features and functions supported by the new generation of digital decoding set-top boxes. It is therefore desirable that set-top boxes and other decoding systems can provide users with additional pricing and subscription options for recording, reproducing and/or displaying video images based on personal taste and the capabilities of the user's video equipment. The system described here meets these needs.

Contents of invention

Video image information is received within a signal including conditional access information. The conditional access information is associated with one of a plurality of image resolution formats for recording, reproducing and displaying video image information. Conditional access information within the received signal is decoded. A format for recording at least one operation of reproducing and displaying video image information is adaptively selected in response to the decoded conditional access information. Then, the video image information is processed using the selected format. The conditional access information may further include information indicating a predetermined time period during which the recorded video image information is permitted to be reproduced.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 illustrates the data format of the vertical blanking interval (VBI) to facilitate adaptive data recovery and decoder operation in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the data format of the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of FIG. 1 with insertion of a specific header and structure of payload data in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

3 illustrates a video system including a high definition (HD) video decoder, video monitor and VCR.

Fig. 4 shows a video system similar to that of Fig. 3 using the VBI ancillary data format of Fig. 1 to select more decoder configurations in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 5 shows a video system similar to that of Figure 3 using the VBI ancillary data format of Figure 1 used within another decoder configuration in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Detailed ways

Figure 1 shows the data format of the vertical blanking interval (VBI) to facilitate adaptive data recovery and decoder operation. The data format facilitates adaptive decoder multi-mode operation in different data detection and recovery modes. The data format also facilitates the use of data bit periods that accommodate data encoded with clock frequencies associated with different standards. In particular, the data format of Figure 1 uses a half-byte length of orthogonal (i.e., "1010" bit pattern) reference symbol start pulse (item 10 of Figure 1), which essentially begins the active video information of the horizontal video line start (item 29 of Figure 1). The use of this orthogonal reference symbol, which defines the beginning of the active video information, allows the decoder to detect and recover the data in either of two different ways of recovery. This data format allows the decoder to recover the data either (a) using a phase-locked loop followed by pulse detection synchronized to the quadrature reference symbol, for example, or (b) without using a preceding phase-locked loop Synchronous, line lock pulse detection based on the known (of active video information) start time of the reference symbol followed by the horizontal sync pulse of the analog video signal. Additionally, the double pulse (i.e. 1010) bit pattern of the reference symbol 10 provides an improved PLL over the single pulse (i.e. 10) bit pattern as exemplified by the EIAJ CPR-1204-1 standard's VBI data signal reference pulse sequence Synchronization ability. This is because the reference symbols provide detector circuits with multiple pulse edges for detection and synchronization as compared to the single pulse reference symbol mode.

The data format of Figure 1 also uses a data bit period that accommodates data encoded using clock frequencies associated with different standards. In particular, the bit periods of the data format of FIG. 1 are advantageously chosen to comprise a first integer multiple of the first clock period associated with the first data format and a different second integer of the second clock period associated with the second data format. times. In the data format shown in Figure 1, the ancillary data bit periods are chosen to be multiples of: (a) those associated with the EIA770.1 and EIA770.2 video standards (and associated with the MPEG Systems standard ISO13818-1 part 2.5.2.1 ) 20 times the 27MHz clock period, (b) 55 times the 74.25MHz clock period (item 31 of Figure 1) associated with the EIA770.3 video standard. The resulting selected bit period length for the data format of Figure 1 is approximately 741 nanoseconds. In FIG. 1, the ancillary data bit period of item 33 comprises 60 times the clock period of 81 MHz used as the video clock in many digital video systems. And, since the 81MHz clock period is an integral multiple (i.e., 3 times) of the 27MHz clock period, the bit period of the data format in Figure 1 accommodates clock frequencies of 81MHz, 27MHz, and 74.25MHz (and other integral multiples) associated with different standards encoded data.

The multi-standard compliant bit period of the data format of Figure 1 allows ancillary data to be clocked using any one of a number of different standards, such as the 27MHz frequency of the EIA770. Devices operating on the frequency of 74.25MHz are encoded. The auxiliary data obtained after inserting the analog video signal VBI (and compatible with the format of Fig. 1) can be recovered and decoded by the decoder without knowing the standard used by the original device.

The characteristics of the data format of FIG. 1 facilitate adaptive data recovery through one of (a) phase-locked loop sync pulse detection and (b) horizontal sync pulse detection independent of phase-locked loop synchronization. These features also facilitate adaptive decoding of ancillary data provided by devices operating with different video coding standards, such as EIA770.1, EIA770.2, EIA770.3 or MPEG standards. In addition, the combination of orthogonal reference symbols and multi-standard compliant bit periods provides a powerful solution for price-sensitive consumer products such as televisions (including analog, digital, and high-definition TV (HDTV)), VCRs, digital video disk (DVD) players, and set-top boxes. Intercommunication between devices offers significant flexibility, adaptability and simplicity.

The digital format of Figure 1 supports communication of multiple data types and services including subtitles, conditional access information, copy protection information, configuration information, display format/standard identification data, description data and control information. This information is conveyed in the ancillary data format shown in FIG. 1 on horizontal lines within the VBI, such as 42 lines for a 2H display system (a display system that uses substantially twice the horizontal line processing rate of NTSC). Also, it can be inserted into this row or another row within a system of 1H or 2.14H or other row processing rates. The ancillary data format includes a header byte (item 15 of FIG. 1 ) identifying the destination service of the payload of the ancillary data or an address identifying the destination of the payload. The address consists of 7 bits (item 25) and a parity bit (item 27). A parity bit within the address header enables error detection to be performed within each header byte. The address bits (item 25) may include a service identifier, such as identifying payload data as subtitles, configuration, display format, video standard, conditional access, copy protection, description, or other control information. Additionally, the address bits may include other identifiers associated with the payload data, and the parity bits may be omitted.

The ancillary data format also includes two payload bytes (item 20 of Fig. 1), which can be used for communication as standard EIA770.3. In other embodiments, the data format structure may include multiple header and payload bytes. A header address or service identifier (item 15) is associated with a two byte payload (item 20). One or more payload data bits may also be assigned parity bits for use in detecting payload errors (eg, single byte or two bytes together) within each payload data segment. Payload data can also be used to transmit bulk messages within multiple video frames, which are transmitted within multiple two-byte segments. To this end, the header (or payload in other embodiments) includes information to indicate that the message is being conveyed in multiple horizontal rows of ancillary data segments and to enable the segments to be combined into one message. Additionally, error detection and/or correction codes may be transmitted with the payload data to validate and correct the message.

Fig. 2 shows the data format of the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of Fig. 1 inserted into a specific header and payload data structure. Figure 2 shows a single byte payload for communication as standard as EIA770.3. In Figure 2, the first payload byte allocation is used as a service identifier (item 40). Thus, both the address (item 15) and the service identifier (item 40) are associated with a single byte payload (the remaining bytes of item 20). As a result, payload data can be flexibly handled differently by various devices. Additionally, the header byte (item 15) and one byte of the payload (item 20) can be used to provide a single 16-bit address or service identifier. Thereby expanding the range of available identifiers and addresses.

Ancillary data is encoded on top of the luma information (Y) within the Y Pr Pb luma-chroma format video signal. Auxiliary data may also be encoded on each of the color signals or transmitted on one or both of the color signals within a video signal in RGB format as well. In addition, each component of the video signal in Y Pr Pb format or RGB can be used to convey different auxiliary data. Ancillary data may similarly be conveyed within component video signals for video signals of other formats.

3 shows a video system using the VBI ancillary data format of FIG. 1 to select decoder processing functions based on copy protection information, which includes a high definition (HD) video decoder 110, a video monitor (such as a TV) 100, and a VCR 105 . In other embodiments, the decoder 110 and the monitor 100 can be combined into one unit. Copy protection information compatible with Copy Generation Management System (CGMSA) files (both CGMS-Analog and CGMSD-Digital versions), referenced on March 14, 1996 for submission to the ^104th Congress (Video Home Recording Act) (not yet submitted), but the copy protection information may optionally be conformed to other formats. In the system of FIG. 3, the ancillary data format shown in FIG. 1 is used to adaptively transmit and update copy protection configuration information for different video display formats and modes. In particular, auxiliary data is used to provide different display and recording privileges for different display formats or recording modes. The different display formats may include, for example, High Definition TV (HDTV) or Standard Definition TV (SDTV) formats. Different recording modes may include, for example, modes that involve recording text, subtitles, web pages, or picture-in-picture (PIP) images associated with each program. The ancillary data format shown in Figure 1 can also be used to transfer other control information between a decoder and a display or recording device or other device for optimal video and audio reproduction. This additional control information may include audio control and program description data, parental rating information, and date and time information. From this, a simple monitor can see this data and automatically optimize and configure its display and audio reproduction.

In the system shown in FIG. 3, video decoder 110 adaptively decodes and converts received broadcast high-definition video data to provide high-definition (HD) digital MPEG-compatible video data, standard definition (SD) digital MPEG compatible video data or analog composite video signal for storage on the VCR105. The decoder 110 configures the recording mode and the copy protection processing mode for the VCR 105 using the control and configuration information conveyed within the ancillary data (in the format shown in FIG. 1 ) within the VBI of the NTSC compatible composite video signal output by the decoder 110 . It should be noted that the ancillary data within the composite video signal facilitates use with the VCR 105 in all modes such as those in which the program is recorded in a digital MPEG compatible HD signal format or in a digital MPEG compatible SD signal format or as an analog composite video signal. Configuration is in progress.

In the illustrated recording mode, decoder 110 provides high definition MPEG compatible digital video data representing the program for recording to VCR 105 . Decoder 110 configures VCR 105 to record high definition MPEG data received in high definition format using configuration data conveyed within the auxiliary data within the VBI of NTSC compatible composite video output by decoder 110 to VCR 105 . The VCR105 is a multifunctional unit that can convert between different video formats for recording and playback. To this end, the VCR 105 includes an up-sampling interpolator for converting SD video data to HD video data and a down-sampling interpolator for converting HD video data to SD video data. The VCR105 also includes MPEG decoding/encoding as well as analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion and sampling functions to convert between digital HD and SD data and analog composite video data. In response to configuration and copy protection information received from decoder 110, VCR 105 selects the signal recording format and converts the input signal data (HD, SD or composite analog) to the desired recording format. The VCR 105 also interrupts recording or playback of material in response to copy protection information.

In response to copy protection information received from decoder 100, the signal format conversion capability of VCR 105 enables VCR 105 to adaptively select a signal format for recording or playback. Thus, the VCR 105 facilitates selection of playback or recording modes (and associated display formats) and subsequent copy restrictions (such as prohibiting subsequent copies, allowing one subsequent copy, or Subsequent program copying is not restricted). As a result, a user may only be permitted to record programs in a particular format and watch playback in a particular format based on the user's pre-selected payment options. The specific format may include, for example, one of HD, SD or analog signal formats. Likewise, copy-protected data may allow for time-based restrictions based on user pre-selected payment options. This restriction entitles the user to watch the replayed program for a limited period, such as only three months. In addition, copy protection data may allow a combination of time-based and signal format restrictions, such as allowing for a certain period (such as 3 months) in one format (such as HD format) and in a different format (such as SD format) within a certain period (such as SD format). Programs for other periods (such as the following year) can be played back and displayed.

It should be noted that the VCR 105 of other embodiments may receive and process MPEG SD video data or analog composite video signals for recording. Also, the VCR 105 may include the ability to perform format conversion between different display formats, including the 1H line processing rate format, the 2H line processing rate format, and the 2.14H line processing rate format for recording or playback, among other formats . The VCR 105 may also include an interleaved format (eg, 1920 x 720 pixel resolution) or sequential scan format (eg, 1920 x 720 rate) capacity. Additionally, the adaptive switching and copy protection functions of VCR 105 may optionally be arranged in a separate unit, such as decoder 110 or a single combined unit comprising the functions of decoder 110 and VCR 105 .

FIG. 4 shows a video system similar to that of FIG. 3 in a further select decoder configuration using the VBI ancillary data format of FIG. 1 . The system shown in FIG. 4 includes a high-definition (HD) video decoder 130, a video monitor (such as a TV) 100, and a VCR 129 using the VBI ancillary data format shown in FIG. Processing function. Decoder 130 facilitates providing 1H and 2H line-processed format signals to VCR 129 and video monitor 100 . This allows decoder 130 to configure VCR 129 (transmitted as 1H or 2H composite signal VBI) to process 1H (eg, NTSC format) or 2H (eg, 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution) video and audio using the ancillary data format shown in FIG. Format. In addition, the VCR 129 includes the ability to convert between a 1H line rate format, a 2H line rate format (or a 2.14H line rate format) for recording or playback. Furthermore, this conversion may be performed within the decoder 130 .

Figure 5 shows a video system similar to that of Figure 3 utilizing the VBI ancillary data format of Figure 1 within another decoder configuration. The system shown in FIG. 5 includes a high definition (HD) video decoder 130 in a 2H line processing rate format using the VBI ancillary data format shown in FIG. 1, a 1H line processing rate display format video monitor (such as a TV) 100, and VCR125. In the system shown in FIG. 5, decoder 130 communicates with and configures monitor 100 using ancillary data conveyed within the VBI of an analog composite video signal at a 1H line processing rate (eg, NTSC compatible). In addition, decoder 130 communicates with and configures VCR 125 using ancillary data conveyed within the VBI of an analog composite video signal at a 2H line processing rate (eg, EIA770.1 compliant). In an exemplary recording mode, decoder 130 provides compatible analog composite video representing a 2H line processing rate of high definition programming to VCR 125 for recording. Decoder 110 also configures VCR 125 to record the program in 2H line processing rate format. In playback mode, the VCR 125 converts recorded video in 2H line processing rate format to 1H line processing rate format video for output to monitor 100 for display. It is executed in response to the user start information of the playback command and the configuration information transmitted from the decoder 130, which identifies the display monitor as the H format monitor. In addition, VCR 125 may transmit 2H line processing rate video to decoder 130 for conversion by decoder 130 to 1H line processing rate format video and display on monitor 100 . In another embodiment, in response to configuration information within the 1H line processing rate signal transmitted from decoder 130, VCR 125 converts video in 2H line processing rate format obtained from decoder 130 to 1H line processing rate format for recorded. In response to a user start operation of a playback command, recorded video at a processing rate of 1H lines is output to the monitor 100 for display.

The ancillary data structures shown in Figures 1 and 2 are not restricted to analog composite video transmission at 1H, 2H or 2.14H line processing rates, but may be transmitted with analog or digital video signals using any line processing rate. Additionally, the auxiliary data is not only used for control purposes within the systems described in Figures 3-5, but may also be used in other system configurations. In addition, other auxiliary data structures can be specifically obtained according to the multi-standard compatibility feature of the format in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 and the principle of adaptive data recovery in the present invention.

Claims (29)

1, a kind of for the video image information that receives in comprising the signal of conditional access information is shown the method for selecting form, described method comprises the steps:

A) receive the described signal that comprises video image information and the conditional access information relevant with one of a plurality of picture resolution forms;

B) the described conditional access information in the signal of the described reception of decoding, wherein, the conditional access information of described decoding comprises the data relevant with the picture resolution form, this picture resolution form is that following at least one operation is required:

I) write down described video image information; With

Ii) reappear the video image information of described record;

C) conditional access information of the described decoding of response is selected the picture resolution form adaptively; With

D) the described video image information of picture resolution format analysis processing of the described selection of use.

2, method according to claim 1, wherein, the selection of described picture resolution form is in response to the decision authority of a user and carries out with the conditional access information of the described decoding of selecting one of described a plurality of available picture resolution form.

3, method according to claim 1, wherein, described picture resolution form is one of following form:

I) standard definition format; With

Ii) HD.

4, method according to claim 1 also is included on the recording medium step with the described video image information of picture resolution format record of described selection.

5, method according to claim 4 also is included in the step of reappearing the video image information of described record on the display with the picture resolution form of described selection.

6, method according to claim 1, wherein, the described video image information of the signal of described reception transmits in first passage as digital signal.

7, method according to claim 6 also comprises the step of auxiliary data of processing that is used to control described video image data that is received in transmission in the second channel.

8, method according to claim 7, wherein, described auxiliary data is transmitted as analog video signal.

9, method according to claim 1, each of wherein said a plurality of picture resolution forms is all relevant with corresponding paying price, and further comprises according to the step of the paying price relevant with one of described a plurality of picture resolution forms of selecting to user's charge.

10, a kind of for the video image information that receives in comprising the signal of copy protection information is shown the method for selecting form, described method comprises the steps:

A) receive the described signal that comprises video image information and the copy protection information relevant with one of a plurality of display formats;

B) the described copy protection information in the signal of the described reception of decoding, wherein, described copy protection information comprises the data relevant with display format, this display format is that following at least one operation is required:

I) write down described video image information; With

Ii) reappear the video image information of described record;

C) copy protection information of the described decoding of response is chosen in the form that shows described video image information on the display adaptively; With

D) use the display format of described selection to handle described video image information.

11, method according to claim 10, wherein, the selection of described display format is in response to the decision authority of a user and carries out with the copy protection information of the described decoding of selecting one of described a plurality of available display format.

12, method according to claim 10, wherein, described display format be following form it

I) standard definition format; With

Ii) HD.

13, method according to claim 10 also is included on the recording medium with the step by the described video image information of format record of the copy protection information decision of described decoding.

14, method according to claim 13 also is included on the display step of reappearing the video image information of described record with the described form by the copy protection information decision of described decoding.

15, method according to claim 10, wherein, the described video image information of the signal of described reception transmits in first passage as digital signal.

16, method according to claim 15 also comprises the step of auxiliary data of processing that is used to control described video image data that is received in transmission in the second channel.

17, method according to claim 16, wherein, described auxiliary data is transmitted as analog video signal.

18, method according to claim 10, each of wherein said a plurality of display formats are all relevant with corresponding paying price, and further comprise according to the step of the paying price relevant with one of described a plurality of display formats of selecting to user's charge.

19, a kind of for the video image information that receives in comprising the signal of copy protection information is write down the method for selecting form, described method comprises the steps:

A) receive the described signal that comprises video image information and the copy protection information relevant with one of a plurality of record formats;

B) the described copy protection information in the signal of the described reception of decoding;

C) copy protection information of the described decoding of response is chosen in the form that writes down described video image information on the recording medium adaptively; With

D) use the record format of described selection to handle described video image information.

20, method according to claim 19, wherein, the selection of described record format is in response to the decision authority of a user and carries out with the copy protection information of the described decoding of selecting one of described a plurality of available record format.

21, method according to claim 19, wherein, described record format be following form it

I) standard definition format; With

Ii) HD.

22, method according to claim 19 also is included in the step that writes down the video image information of described processing on the recording medium with described selected record format.

23, method according to claim 22 also is included in the step of reappearing the video image information of described record with described selected record format on the display.

24, method according to claim 19, wherein, described copy protection information also comprises the information of the time period that shows the video image information that can reappear described processing.

25, method according to claim 24, wherein, the described time period is in response to the decision authority of a user and sets with the copy protection information of the described decoding of selecting one of described a plurality of usable record forms.

26, method according to claim 19, wherein, the described video image information of the signal of described reception transmits in first passage as digital signal.

27, method according to claim 26 also comprises the step of auxiliary data of processing that is used to control described video image data that is received in transmission in the second channel.

28, method according to claim 27, wherein, described auxiliary data is transmitted as analog video signal.

29, method according to claim 19, each of wherein said a plurality of record formats are all relevant with corresponding paying price, and further comprise according to the step of the paying price relevant with one of described a plurality of record formats of selecting to user's charge.

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